A man who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
